One of the defining features of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is its skill tree system, allowing players to build a character and progress through the game in any way they see fit. Its move towards a skill-level-based system and unique perks made it far more accessible and enjoyable to progress through compared to the methods in previous Elder Scrolls games, allowing the game to grow into the phenomenon that it still is to this day.
While the system works well though, it is far from a balanced and even one, allowing some builds to be far more powerful and lucrative. Throughout the years more and more exploits to the system have also been discovered, which arguably contributes a great deal to the charm of the game. Here are some of the easiest skills to level up quickly in Skyrim, as, although they may not be the most powerful, they can be easily used by players to rise up the levels and unlock more perks in their desired skill trees.
Illusion
One of the less popular schools of magic among players, Illusion has some surprisingly useful spells that can come in handy regardless of build path. Muffle is a great tool for players building around sneak, and spells such as Rout, Harmony, and Mayhem, among others, can be useful in almost any combat scenario.
Illusion is a very easy skill to power level, as players can get their hands on the Muffle spell quickly and spam it to level the skill surprisingly fast. Once the skill is level 50, purchasing and spamming the Rally spell on NPCs is even faster, as they won't be affected. The skill will also level quickly by using the spells for their intended purpose in combat, but for players simply looking to get some levels under their belt, Illusion has some great workarounds.
Speech
Speech is one of the easiest skills to level in Skyrim and is one of the most beneficial skills to have at a high level. Simply selling items looted from exploration and quests will level Speech surprisingly quickly at low levels, and the extra gold certainly won't hurt.
Once players level up the skill, and unlock the Bribery skill perk, leveling speech becomes even faster with bribes and persuasion attempts to get out of crimes committed. It may not be the fastest skill to power level, but it's one of the simplest to level in the background, with some serious benefits.
Smithing
Creating weapons and armor is the best way to get a hold of the strongest items in the game, and players will need a high-level Smithing skill to craft certain items and improve them to a reasonable level. Leveling smithing will require some resource gathering upfront, but there are easy ways to power-level the skill once players have them.
A rookie error most players will have made at some stage is crafting iron daggers, as they are the cheapest, but gold rings will give the most XP, as Smithing levels faster based on the crafted item's value. Mining for gold at a mine like Kolskeggr Mine will be the fastest way of gathering the required resources, then simply craft as many gold rings as possible, and sell them on to make a handy profit and also level the Speech skill.
Light/Heavy Armor
Another easy skill to level up in the background is Light or Heavy Armor, depending on build. These will level slowly in the background while players go about their business exploring and completing quests and dungeons. The more combat the better, as taking damage is what will level up the skill.
The fastest way for players to power level the skill is to find a cluster of low-level enemies, like an easy bandit camp or even Skeevers, and simply stand still while they attack. It might not be the most exciting or rewarding experience, but it'll get the job done. Leveling restoration at the same time is a great way to maximize XP gain.
Pickpocket
Pickpocket is one of the most enjoyable skills in Skyrim to grind and is easy to level much quicker than players might think. Having a high Pickpocket level makes it very easy to make some quick cash, obtain keys, or just mess with the NPCs by taking their weapons or clothes.
The skill will level very fast at first simply by taking low-value items like lock picks and keys, and this is a perfectly viable way to get it to max. Players will receive more XP for stealing more valuable items, however, which is much easier at high levels. Gold and precious stones are the best targets, and pickpocketing gold from skill trainers is perfect to obtain even more XP, while leveling more than one skill for free.
Enchanting
A critical part of the arsenal of any player in Skyrim, Enchanting is the only way to get a hold of the best gear in the game, reducing spell costs and potency for mages, increasing damage and resistances for warriors, and anything in between. Possibly the most versatile skill in the game, at high levels good enchantments become almost mandatory.
The best way to level the skill is to disenchant any items picked up as loot from quests or exploring. This provides a ton of XP, allowing players to power through the early levels. This method won't get a character all the way to 100 Enchanting, but it will do the majority of the work. Further levels can be obtained by enchanting gear, which will require some soul gems but is a very rewarding endeavor.
Alteration
Perhaps the quickest and easiest skill to level without using any heinous exploits is Alteration, another unsuspecting school of magic. Alteration has some very useful spells for any class, with Flesh spells being some of the most powerful in the game, particularly higher-level versions like Ebony Flesh.
There are two ways to quickly level Alteration. The first uses no exploits of any kind, and can be very useful for players also looking to level smithing. First, get the Transmute Mineral Ore spell, located in the Halted Stream Camp bandit camp, north of Whiterun, then gather as much Iron Ore as possible, from mines and blacksmiths. The spell will alter the iron ore to silver, then gold, which can be in turn used to make gold rings and sell on.
The second is somewhat of an exploit, but alarmingly effective and doesn't use any bugs or unintended features. Spamming the Detect Life spell in the center of Whiterun, Solitude, or any other crowded area, can take a player from 15 to 100 in no time at all, and can be sped up even more with enchanted gear and effects such as Well Rested or Lover's Comfort.
Skyrim is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.